Mayanja addressing people affected by the oil palm project in Buvuma Islands recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Parliament approved sh28b for Buvuma compensation, although only half had been released. Lands State Minister Sam Mayanja has now directed the Ministry of Agriculture to fast-track compensation for all people who surrendered their land for the oil palm project on Buvuma Island, following years of complaints by affected residents.
The oil palm project dates back to 2008, when the Government signed an agreement with a Malaysian investor to establish oil palm plantations and a processing mill in Buvuma District. Under the deal, 6,500 hectares of land were allocated to the investor, while 2,500 hectares were to be provided by outgrower farmers drawn from surrounding communities.
However, more than a decade later, many residents who gave up their land say they have never been fully compensated, despite the investor taking possession and developing the plantations. At a recent meeting held at Majjo village in Nairambi Sub-county, affected residents told government officials that they surrendered their land voluntarily but the State failed to honour its compensation commitments.
Local officials said that Government teams surveyed and valued land in Busamuzi, Buwoya and Nairambi sub-counties, as well as Buvuma Town Council, to pave way for the project. He explained that negotiations were conducted with landlords and bibanja holders under a willing-buyer, willing-seller arrangement.
Under the agreed framework, landlords were required to present land titles before compensation, while bibanja holders were to be assessed and paid compensation plus a 30 percent disturbance allowance. Despite this, Kabanda said many beneficiaries remain unpaid years after the land was handed over.
Residents from villages including Bukiyindi, Kacanga, Maye, Buziri, Buwangwe, Bukalabati, Tojjwe, Kaziiru and Namuziri surrendered their land, but a significant number have not received compensation.
The prolonged delays prompted some residents to petition President Yoweri Museveni, who subsequently directed the Ministry of Finance to release funds for compensation. Recently, Minister Mayanja, accompanied by the Special Presidential Assistant in charge of Anti-Corruption, Rebecca Atwine, visited Buvuma to meet affected persons and district leaders. During the meeting, residents were instructed to open bank accounts in preparation for payment, although many noted that similar directives had been issued in the past without results.
Former Buvuma District deputy speaker Noor Nambalirwa said her 30 acres are fully occupied by oil palm trees belonging to the investor and called for immediate payment. Buvuma Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dauda Kato said his office is overwhelmed by compensation-related complaints and urged the government to urgently release funds.
Area MP Robert Migadde Ndugwa said about 3,215 people were affected by the project. District chairperson Adrian Wasswa Dungu praised the oil palm project for improving infrastructure, including the introduction of the MV Palm Ferry, better roads and employment for more than 800 residents. However, he criticised the Ministry of Finance for delays, noting that although President Museveni pledged sh48b for compensation during a recent visit, only sh14b has so far been released.
Atwine said investigations revealed that some individuals on the compensation list were not genuine beneficiaries, while others have pending court cases, contributing to delays in payment.
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